Being
Available
September 2009
Dearly Beloved of Our Lord:
Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Savior, and King! We pray that this has been a joyful and fruitful summer for you. We have really enjoyed our times of ministry in downtown Portland as the transit mall has been completed and the square has filled with people day after day. This month we want to share the joy of “being available” to whomever the Holy Spirit should bring by.
Being
Available
Here is a photo of Steve and Marty with his signboard standing at the NE corner of Pioneer Courthouse Square. The man and woman are approaching them from behind looking at them, perhaps reading the back of the sign. Steve and Marty stand there being available to share the gospel of the Kingdom as laborers in our Lord’s Harvest.
One day a woman walked right up to Marty and asked if he would pray for her. Marty asked what she needed and she listed several things in her life and in her relationships with others. She put her hands in Marty’s hands and he prayed as the Holy Spirit led him for the things she mentioned as well as for comfort and encouragement for her. His words were “Spirit and Life” to her as he spoke to encourage, comfort, and strengthen her. He was able to speak healing words. She thanked him for his prayers and left the corner with some of the joy of the Holy Spirit on her face. (Note John 6:63 and 1 Corinthians 14:1&3.)
Karen’s Testimony ~ Later on that very same day Ron was standing on the corner and an African-American woman walked right up to him complaining that she was unable to walk and her leg and knee were in great pain. She shared that she had full medical coverage and had been to the doctor and that they did nothing for her but give her some drugs for the pain which were not working. She wanted them to take an X-ray, which they didn’t, so she was upset that she got so little treatment. Ron asked her if she would like prayer and she said yes so he brought her to me so we could pray for her. She said she believed in the Lord and she believed He could heal her. We prayed for her. I told her the Bible story about the woman who spent all her money for doctors and still remained afflicted. She reached out to touch the hem of the Lord’s garment and was healed. The woman said, “I know that story.” The power of God manifested and she said the pain left. We all gave each other hugs and the woman left walking without pain.
Not all who come up to us really have faith. Some have so much unbelief that it blocks their faith. And this unbelief is usually related to disobedience or sin in their lives. On the same day the woman got healed of the pain in her leg another woman whom I have not seen for years saw me as she waited for the MAX light rail. She came over to talk with me. I asked her how she was doing. She said she was “hanging on.” She confessed that “she was still defiling the temple” of the Lord by smoking. She was under condemnation but there seemed to be something else so I prayed and the Lord gave me a word of knowledge that her sin was not smoking but was unforgiveness of others and of herself. As she heard these words she began to weep. Then it seemed as if the love of God manifested and squeezed her heart and reassured her of His love for her. Her countenance filled with joy. We remained together in His presence for a short time. Then as her MAX train pulled in she gave me a hug and left on the train.
Ron’s Testimony ~ Jason came up to us and wanted to talk a lot about himself and what he has been through. He rambled on and on and kept mentioning things about being a sex offender. So I took him aside from Karen and others and listened to his story. When he was young he said that he had small seizures and had difficulty learning. He did not fit into the school system well and later in life became a convicted sex offender, went to jail, and now has to register. While in jail for five years he went to Bible studies and became a Christian but when he got out his seizures became serious and now he is on epilepsy medications. He is also using blood pressure and heart meds along with some antidepressants from time to time. He believes his epilepsy is his “thorn in the flesh” and that it is the will of God for his life to be the way it is. He doesn’t want to be healed because he doesn’t believe he could work. He said that he would also lose his Section 8 housing and the monthly SSI check. Every attempt I made to get through was blocked by some excuse. Jason continues to come around and when he does he still talks about his problems and that he is a registered sex offender. He seems to have a “mountain of unbelief” which blocks his faith in the Lord’s love for him and makes him unable to receive healing and deliverance which he needs. Please pray for him to be set free and receive the full power of the Holy Spirit.
We share these stories that you might pray for them and for us. Your intercession, encouragement, support, and prayers are vital as we continue to reach out to so many homeless, hurting, and broken people. As you can see not everyone we make ourselves available to pray for are able to receive from the Lord. There are many who say they believe in Jesus but need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Please pray for us to walk more and more in the power and provision of the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit so that His power is available to others.
Also please pray for us for health and strength. Ron is dealing with some health issues involving difficulties with his ears and having the energy and endurance needed for hours on the streets each day. Thank you so much for your friendship, support, and love. May you be greatly blessed and encouraged!
- Ron & Karen
E-mail: awakening1s@comcast.net
Home Page: awakening1s.net
church @ 24/7
Ron & Karen Rohman
PO Box 14292
PORTLAND OR 97293